KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has commended the multi-disciplinary team of police that tracked down a suspected police killer at Clermont informal settlement in Durban.

The suspect, who was wanted for the killing of an off-duty police officer over the weekend, died during a shootout with the police officers in Clermont on Monday afternoon.

KZN police spokesperson, Brigadier Jay Naicker, said the police officer from Durban Central SAPS and his colleague from KwaDabeka SAPS who were off duty, were visiting a private residence in Clermont in the early hours of Sunday when they were attacked in their vehicle.

‘The deceased constable (34), who was the driver, was killed before he was robbed of his firearm, while his colleague (35), who was also robbed of his firearm, was left unharmed. The two suspects fled the scene with both policemen’s firearms, as well as a wallet and cellphone,’ Naicker said.

Naicker said that following an around the clock investigati
on that began after the shooting, police received information that one of the killers was at an informal settlement in Clermont.

‘As police officers approached the suspect’s residence, they were met with gunfire. The suspect, who is in his 30s, sustained fatal injuries following the shootout. Two firearms were recovered from the suspect’s possession.

‘Investigations are ongoing to trace his accomplice. Detectives are also working on information that the deceased suspect is linked to a string of murders, robberies and carjackings,’ Naicker said.

The Provincial Commissioner has thanked the team who left no stone unturned after they heard that their colleague was killed and commended them for their bravery when they came under fire from the same person who had killed him.

Source: South African Government News Agency